The Best Portable SSDs Under $500

It is the cheapest SSD here. It reads at up to 1,050MB/s over a 10Gbps USB-C link, fast enough for moving large project folders. Expect about 465GB to show in Windows, which is normal for a 500GB drive.

SLC caching keeps large transfers fast, and S.M.A.R.T. and TRIM support help it last. It reads at up to 1050MB/s and writes at up to 1000MB/s over 10Gbps USB. S.M.A.R.T. health reporting and TRIM help keep write speeds consistent over time.

Its 0.5TB capacity is the smallest in this group; the X9 2TB leads at 2TB. It matches the X9 2TB on rated read speed (1,050MB/s). It also offers an activity LED and an SLC cache for steady transfers.

It undercut the GARMESE and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The trade-off is capacity; for more, the X9 2TB is rated for 2TB.

A USB-A adapter is included. It reads at up to 2,000MB/s over USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, which is twice a standard 10Gbps drive. Full speed needs a 20Gbps port.

It uses USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 for reads up to 2000MB/s and writes up to 1800MB/s, which needs a 20Gbps port. On capacity it ties with the SanDisk Portable and the SanDisk Extreme 2000 at 1TB. On rated read speed it ties with the SanDisk Extreme 2000 at 2,000MB/s.

You get a shock resistant durability claim here, which sets it apart from the SanDisk Portable and its a drops up to 2m durability claim. You also get 1,800MB/s rated writes. Its top speed needs a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20Gbps) port; most laptops and all Macs run it at 10Gbps speeds instead. When we checked, only the SSK 500GB cost less, and the SanDisk Portable cost more.

It is the budget model below the Extreme. It reads at up to 1000MB/s, about five times a portable hard drive. With no moving parts it is drop-rated to 2 meters, and it is slim enough for a pocket.

It matches the GARMESE and the SanDisk Extreme 2000 on capacity (1TB). Its 1,000MB/s rated read speed is the slowest in this group; the GARMESE leads at 2,000MB/s. It shares a USB-C connection with the SanDisk Extreme 2000; the X9 2TB goes with a USB-C (USB 3.2) connection.

It is the only pick here with a drops up to 2m durability claim; the GARMESE has a shock resistant durability claim instead. It also offers driver-free USB-C setup. Its price falls between the GARMESE and the X9 2TB, based on our last check.

It has room for a larger game library. It is rated IP55 for water and dust and survives drops of up to 7.5 feet, so it can travel in a camera bag. It works with consoles as well as Windows, Mac and iPad Pro.

It reads at up to 1050MB/s and carries an IP55 water and dust rating with drop resistance to 2 meters. It works with Windows, Mac, PS5 and Xbox over USB-C or USB-A. On capacity it leads this guide at 2TB, ahead of the GARMESE (1TB).

It matches the SSK 500GB on rated read speed (1,050MB/s). You get a USB-C (USB 3.2) connection here, which sets it apart from the SanDisk Extreme 2000 and its a USB-C connection. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper SanDisk Portable and the pricier SanDisk Extreme 2000, at the time of writing.

It needs a 20Gbps port to reach that speed. It matches the GARMESE and the SanDisk Portable on capacity (1TB). It matches the GARMESE on rated read speed (2,000MB/s).

It shares a USB-C connection with the SanDisk Portable; the X9 2TB goes with a USB-C (USB 3.2) connection. You also get a pocket-sized body. It also brings capacity of 1TB, ahead of the SSK 500GB.

It makes the most sense for spending more for the fullest feature set, since it offers the top of this price range, adding an IP65 rating. It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the X9 2TB and the rest.